The Black Panthers changed the world. But will anyone in their home neighborhood remember?

Starting Location

915 54th St

Duration

50 minutes

Map Image

Description

The Black Panther Party for Self Defense changed the world with its militant expression of Black Pride and empowerment. This Detour will walk you through North Oakland's small Santa Fe neighborhood, where two college kids started a movement that fed pancakes to hungry kids, gave legal assistance to families, and carried enough guns to get them labeled "the greatest domestic threat to American National Security."

On this Detour, you'll visit the intersection where the Black Panthers became the first crossing guards to carry shotguns. You'll flip through their favorite quotes from Chairman Mao, eat sweet potato pie baked at the site of their national headquarters, and hear directly from original Panthers like Emory Douglas and Bobby Seale. Plus you'll get a first hand look at the fruits of the Panthers' legacy--the modern day activists carrying on in their footsteps--and the economic forces that might wipe that legacy away.

Best of all, this Detour is set to the beat of the Black Panthers house band, an incredible group of Oakland musicians called The Lumpen.

Tips & Hours

• You can take this Detour any day of the week, but it is best between 9am - 5pm when the bakery is open.
• Five dollars will buy you a small sweet potato pie near the end of the tour… and if you have any books you’ve been itching to donate, there will be opportunities to do so along the way.
• Keep your eyes and ears open while on the tour. Sometimes North Oakland can be an unpredictable place.
• You’ll have the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and do some raspberry picking – bring appropriate pants/shoes, if that sounds enticing.

Credits

Narrator:

Davin A. Thompson (Do D.A.T.) is an emcee, educator, event host, and Oakland native.

Other Voices:

Bobby Seale, Emory Douglas, Huey P. Newton, Kemba Shakur, Max Cadji, Arsema Tedros

Music:

The Lumpen

Production Team:

Writer/Producer: Jason Jakaitis Reporter/Co-Producer: Mwende Hahesy Engineer & Sound Designer: Ian Davis (id) Editor: Jorge Just Mixing & Mastering: Julian Kwasneski Production Manager: Juliet Hinely

Archival

Archival Materials courtesy of Pacifica Radio Archives, California Newsreel

Thanks

Thanks to Max Cadji, Bill Calhoun, Alex Cherian, Antoine Davis, Brian DeShazor, Emeryville School District, Puppy Time Security Dog, It’s All Good Bakery, Toveo Hill, Billy X Jennings, Marcus Books, Cornelius Moore, Frances Moore, Phat Beets Produce, Urban Releaf, Ricky Vincent, Nate Williams, Luisa Beck, Avery Trufelman, James Calhoun, and Heather Rafferty

Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers

Kris L.

Starting Locations of All Detours

View Starting Locations Map

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